Amazon has blocked OpenAI's ChatGPT from accessing its site, preventing the AI's new Shopping Research agent from scraping product pages, prices, and reviews. The move underscores a clash between the dominant retailer and emerging AI shopping tools that could reshape how consumers discover and purchase items online. Industry observers note the decision may force brands to adapt their sites for AI visibility, while competitors see an opening to challenge Amazon's market dominance. Read more →

The rise of robots and AI in retail, food service, and delivery is shrinking entry‑level jobs that traditionally gave teenagers their first work experience. While machine vision and automation have improved, they are replacing tasks such as shelf‑scanning, stocking, and even food delivery. This shift moves compensation from workers to owners and leaves young people without the financial literacy and interpersonal skills gained from early employment. The article argues that the current push toward automation offers little benefit to consumers while exacerbating income inequality and limiting career pathways for the next generation. Read more →

Adobe predicts a massive surge in AI-driven traffic to U.S. retail sites during the holiday season, forecasting a 520% jump. More than a third of U.S. consumers have already used AI tools such as chatbots, recommendation engines, and browser extensions to research products, find deals, and get gift ideas. Shoppers who arrive via AI referrals tend to browse more pages, and purchase rates from those referrals are beginning to rise. Brands are now competing for relevance within large language model (LLM) interfaces like ChatGPT and Gemini, positioning AI as a new co-pilot in the holiday shopping journey. Read more →

Retail leaders are integrating agentic AI into both online and brick‑and‑mortar channels to enhance customer service, streamline supply chains, and personalize product discovery. A recent Brunswick survey of over 5,000 consumers revealed mixed emotions—half nervous, half excited—yet a clear preference for human interaction when possible. Retailers are balancing rapid AI advances, highlighted by breakthroughs over the past 18 months, with the need for authenticity, transparency, and ethical use, especially as virtual influencers and AI avatars become commonplace. The industry’s success hinges on pairing technology with a human‑centric approach. Read more →

Retail leaders are integrating agentic AI into both online and brick‑and‑mortar channels to enhance customer service, streamline supply chains, and personalize product discovery. A recent Brunswick survey of over 5,000 consumers revealed mixed emotions—half nervous, half excited—yet a clear preference for human interaction when possible. Retailers are balancing rapid AI advances, highlighted by breakthroughs over the past 18 months, with the need for authenticity, transparency, and ethical use, especially as virtual influencers and AI avatars become commonplace. The industry’s success hinges on pairing technology with a human‑centric approach. Read more →

Retail leaders are integrating agentic AI into both online and brick‑and‑mortar channels to enhance customer service, streamline supply chains, and personalize product discovery. A recent Brunswick survey of over 5,000 consumers revealed mixed emotions—half nervous, half excited—yet a clear preference for human interaction when possible. Retailers are balancing rapid AI advances, highlighted by breakthroughs over the past 18 months, with the need for authenticity, transparency, and ethical use, especially as virtual influencers and AI avatars become commonplace. The industry’s success hinges on pairing technology with a human‑centric approach. Read more →

Retail leaders are integrating agentic AI into both online and brick‑and‑mortar channels to enhance customer service, streamline supply chains, and personalize product discovery. A recent Brunswick survey of over 5,000 consumers revealed mixed emotions—half nervous, half excited—yet a clear preference for human interaction when possible. Retailers are balancing rapid AI advances, highlighted by breakthroughs over the past 18 months, with the need for authenticity, transparency, and ethical use, especially as virtual influencers and AI avatars become commonplace. The industry’s success hinges on pairing technology with a human‑centric approach. Read more →

Retail leaders are integrating agentic AI into both online and brick‑and‑mortar channels to enhance customer service, streamline supply chains, and personalize product discovery. A recent Brunswick survey of over 5,000 consumers revealed mixed emotions—half nervous, half excited—yet a clear preference for human interaction when possible. Retailers are balancing rapid AI advances, highlighted by breakthroughs over the past 18 months, with the need for authenticity, transparency, and ethical use, especially as virtual influencers and AI avatars become commonplace. The industry’s success hinges on pairing technology with a human‑centric approach. Read more →